Campgrounds closed, parks are open

Public encouraged to use county parks while maintaining social distancing

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a way to help keep the virus from spreading, the Hamilton County Conservation Board this week announced that the conservation headquarters office and shop would be closed to the public.

The only exception to that policy is for scheduled appointments and deliveries, according to conservation officials.

At this point, the all of the county parks are open to the public and conservation officials said they wanted the public to be able to continue to enjoy the outdoors, but ask the public to remain diligent in taking steps to make visits safe and enjoyable.

The showers and all bathrooms are closed until further notice. Playgrounds are also closed until further notice. Officials encouraged the public to avoid popular areas where people may congregate and to limit group size to less than 10 people. Park visitors were asked to maintain social distancing according to guidelines recommended by public health officials.

As directed by Governor Kim Reynolds, all public campgrounds are closed through April 30. This includes all of the cabins at Hamilton County parks. The park shelters will also be closed to the public.

Green space areas and trails are open as are the area lakes.

The Briggs Woods Golf Course is open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. but the clubhouse is closed at this time. Tee times will be scheduled every 15 minutes with only 4 people allowed per group. There will be a clipboard outside for members to sign in.

At this time, there will be no flag sticks, bunker rakes,, ball washers or water coolers on the course.

One person will be allowed on a golf-course owned carts. Couple or families are allowed to have the same couple or family on one cart. Returning carts are asked to be parked on the south side of the clubhouse to allow staff to sanitize in between rounds.

Payments must be made by phone by calling 832-9572 with a debit or credit card. Golf green fees can also be paid by using the website, www.briggswoods.com. Also, food and rink orders will be placed outside the door. A line will be formed outside of the door and customers must practice social distancing while waiting in line. A limited menu of canned beer, pop and prepackaged snacks is available.

No public restrooms are available at this time.

No outside coolers or beverages are allowed. Golfers are asked to remove all coolers from golf carts. A sack with ice for beverages will be provided.

When the round is complete, golfers are expected to leave the course and no loitering will be allowed on the property. Rental clubs are not available at this time.

All tournaments and outings scheduled for after May 1 are still on the calendar unless there is an extension to policy concerning COVID-19.